Samsung views Apple’s entry into foldables — despite the iPhone Duo’s pushed‑back shipping dates — as a catalyst for future innovation, Charles Kim, President of Samsung Malaysia, told reporters. Apple joined the foldable phone segment in 2026 after years of sitting on the fence, and Samsung is no longer the only major player in the category.
Why competition matters for foldable phones
Charles Kim welcomed new entrants, saying competition should be seen as a springboard rather than a threat. He said that as more brands join the foldable category they raise awareness and foster competition, and that “competition is exactly what I consider essential to push us to learn and improve with every generation of the Z series.”
Samsung notes the market is already changing this year: foldables have moved from a niche question of “does a phone fold?” to the practical question of “why do I need a foldable?” The company says more people are beginning to understand not only what foldable technology is but why they might want a foldable phone.
Samsung, which introduced its first Galaxy Fold in 2019, expanded its 2026 lineup to include the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Each device offers a distinct form factor aimed at different types of users.
Kim compared the current shift to past changes in mobile design, noting that people were once astounded by touchscreens in the numeric‑keypad era and are now growing comfortable with new smartphone shapes. Samsung said it will continue to invest, listen, learn, and innovate, “not because competition has arrived, but because competition gives the entire industry a reason to push further.”
